2. Travel

Cass Railroad

These are photos from the Railfan weekend at the Cass Railroad in Cass West Virginia. There was a brief stop at Babcock State Park to photograph the stream and grist mill on the way to Cass. The Cass Railroad was built starting in 1900 to support a logging operation in the mountains of eastern West Virginia. The railroad was in the logging business until 1960. In 1963 the Cass Scenic Railroad was formed and took over operation as a tourist and rail fan destination by restoring and operating the rolling stock.
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  • The old Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia.

    The old Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia.

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    14XB5322_5

  • There are a total of five geared steam engines running in this photo.

    There are a total of five geared steam engines running in this photo.

  • Most of the steam engines at Cass are Shay Locomotives. This type of engine has three vertical steam cylinders on the engineer’s side (right side) that power a drive shaft connected to gears on all the wheels of the engine and tender.

    Most of the steam engines at Cass are Shay Locomotives. This type of engine has three vertical steam cylinders on the engineer’s side (right side) that power a drive shaft connected to gears on all the wheels of the engine and tender.

  • The red lines show the GPS tracks of our train rides over the three days of the event.

    The red lines show the GPS tracks of our train rides over the three days of the event.

  • Three Shay engines at one of the switches in the Switchback.

    Three Shay engines at one of the switches in the Switchback.

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    14XB8302

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    14XB8428

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    14XB8756

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    14XB8935

  • This Heisler Locomotive uses two steam cylinders operating at 90 degrees to the center line of the locomotive. A drive shaft down the middle of the engine connects via bevel gears to all the drive wheels in the engine and tender.

    This Heisler Locomotive uses two steam cylinders operating at 90 degrees to the center line of the locomotive. A drive shaft down the middle of the engine connects via bevel gears to all the drive wheels in the engine and tender.

  • From the top of Bald Knob (Elevation 4700’) the National Radio Astronomical Observatory can be see 4.6 miles away.

    From the top of Bald Knob (Elevation 4700’) the National Radio Astronomical Observatory can be see 4.6 miles away.

  • The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) at NRAO is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope with a 100m diameter.

    The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) at NRAO is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope with a 100m diameter.

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    14XC1415

  • This video shows how the steam drive mechanism works on the Shay Locomotives.

    This video shows how the steam drive mechanism works on the Shay Locomotives.

  • The Heisler Locomotive is used to pull the freight train near Whittaker Station.

    The Heisler Locomotive is used to pull the freight train near Whittaker Station.

  • The Shay engines use massive bevel gears and universal joints to transmit the drive.

    The Shay engines use massive bevel gears and universal joints to transmit the drive.

  • Each time the trains stop the oil level and grease fitting are checked and topped off to insure the bearing never run dry.

    Each time the trains stop the oil level and grease fitting are checked and topped off to insure the bearing never run dry.

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    14XB7275_6_7

  • This is a huge lathe used to machine large parts. The maintenance shop has some very large machines to make and repair parts needed to keep the engines and rolling stock running.

    This is a huge lathe used to machine large parts. The maintenance shop has some very large machines to make and repair parts needed to keep the engines and rolling stock running.

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    14XB7919_20_21

  • This early model of a diesel engine is passing through the Big Cut. The Big Cut at 4066 feet Elevation was made in 1910-14 with the help of a steam shovel. At over 100 feet deep and 1000 feet long it’s the deepest cut at the highest elevation east of the Mississippi.

    This early model of a diesel engine is passing through the Big Cut. The Big Cut at 4066 feet Elevation was made in 1910-14 with the help of a steam shovel. At over 100 feet deep and 1000 feet long it’s the deepest cut at the highest elevation east of the Mississippi.

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    14XB9060

  • 14XB9281

    14XB9281

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    14XB5322_5.jpg
    There are a total of five geared steam engines running in this photo.
    Most of the steam engines at Cass are Shay Locomotives. This type of engine has three vertical steam cylinders on the engineer’s side (right side) that power a drive shaft connected to gears on all the wheels of the engine and tender.